Water supply system and pump apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A supply system for supplying liquid, such as water, from a lower level to a higher level wherein a supply pipe has one end at the lower level and another end connected to a closed container substantially full of water, in use. A pump is immersed in the water in the container with an inlet to draw water from the container and pump it through a supply pipe to supply water to the higher level whereby, in use, the container substantially fills with water which is drawn into the pump and then out through the outlet. Pump apparatus is also described.

[0001] This invention relates to apparatus for supplying liquid from one level to a higher level. The invention is particularly applicable for use in moving water from a lake or river, etc., to a building, such as a house or cottage, which is at a higher level than the lake or river.

[0002] To supply a house or cottage with water from a lake it has been the practice to build a pump house beside the lake. Often the pump itself is located in the lake and this can freeze over in the winter. Furthermore, the pump can be pulled away by ice in the lake or river. It is also extremely difficult to remove the pump from the water if a fault occurs and maintenance is required. There are thus several disadvantages in previous systems.

[0003] On occasions a well is built near a house to supply water for bath, showers and toilets, and, perhaps, drinking water. This can be expensive and a disadvantage.

[0004] From one aspect of the invention it is an object to provide a water supply system in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are obviated or substantially reduced.

[0005] According to this aspect there is provided a supply system for supplying water to a building at a higher level than a lake comprising:

[0006] a water supply pipe with one end in said lake and another end connected to a closed container substantially full of water, in use, and buried completely in the ground at a sufficient depth so that the water does not freeze at that depth,

[0007] a water pump immersed in the water in said container with an inlet to draw water from said container and pump it through an outlet of said container,

[0008] a water supply pipe with one end connected to said outlet and another end at said building to supply water thereto

[0009] wherein said inlet is an inlet pitless adapter and said outlet is an outlet pitless adapter

[0010] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a water supply system;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a pumping assembly for use in the water supply system of FIG. 1, shown partly in a dissembled condition for ease of description; and

[0013]FIGS. 3 and 4 diagrammatically illustrate another water supply system.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1 a pump apparatus 2 containing a pump 4 is installed with its lower end 6 below ground level and buried in the ground with at least its base 6 at a sufficient depth so that any water therein does not freeze at that depth. This is normally referred to as below the frost line. An inlet 8 to the pump assembly 2 has an inlet pipe 10 connected thereto. The other end of the pipe 10 is provided with a screened inlet portion 12 which is immersed in the water in a lake 14.

[0015] The outlet 16 from the pump apparatus 2 is connected to a further pipe 18 whose other end is within a house 20. The house 20 is at a higher level on the hill 22 than the lake 14.

[0016] As will be appreciated, when the pump apparatus 2 is operational it can draw water from the lake 14 for supply to the house 20 or other building.

[0017] In FIG. 2 the pump apparatus 2 is diagrammatically illustrated. Parts thereof are shown in a dissembled condition for ease of the present description.

[0018] The pump apparatus 2 includes a container 24 enclosing the pump 4 which is of the submersible type. The container 24 is of 6-inch diameter and at its lower end the inlet 8 is at the end of a 6-inch by 1¼ reducer portion and is provided with a threaded brass poly insert fitting for connection to the pipe 10 (FIG. 1).

[0019] The outlet 16 is located in the side of the container 22 and at the top of the container a female adapter 26 is provided. A corresponding threaded cap 28 is also provided and this screws within the adapter 26, sealing being achieved by way of a rubber gasket 30. An auto air vent 32 is provided on top of the cap 28 and this is designed to release air and not water from the container 24.

[0020] The submersible pump 4 has a water intake opening 34 and the pump motor 36 is located below the water intake 34. The outlet from the pump 4 is through a reduced outlet 36 having a pump foot valve 38 (small hole drilled in nylon foot valve).

[0021] The outlet from the portion 36 is through a brass nipple portion 40 and then through a pitless adapter 42 and a brass insert adapter 44.

[0022] The electrical wires 46 for the motor 36 enter the container 24 through an airtight seal 48.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2 the water inlet for the container 24 is by way of a threaded brass poly insert fitting 50 connected to the water inlet portion 8.

[0024] In use, when the motor 36 is switched on then the pump creates a vacuum in the container casing 24 and this draws water from the lake 14 (FIG. 1). The water fills up the container 24 so that the water level is substantially at the top of the container casing. The water is then pumped at high pressure to the house 20. The small hole drilled in the foot valve 38 (a check valve) allows a small amount to slowly return, thus forcing any air trapped in the top of the pump casing to escape out of the system.

[0025] The container 24 can be constructed of 5-inch or larger diameter pipe made of PVC, styrene, metal, molded fibre-glass or ABS.

[0026] The system works on the principle of the pump creating a vacuum when it is running and sucking the water from the lake, river, etc. via, for example, poly pipe with a foot valve installed in the water.

[0027] The container 24 should be buried as close to water level as possible to avoid reducing the head or pumping height ability of the pump.

[0028] When the desired pressure is achieved in the house, the pump shuts off. When this occurs the pressure and a small amount of water returns slowly to the container 24 and forces any trapped air at the top of the pump housing out via the automatic vent 32 which closes when the air is vented.

[0029] The water can not return to the lake, etc. because of the foot valve in the lake. If the entire pump housing is kept free from air a hole in the pump check valve and the auto vent are not required. These portions are added so as to make the system more user friendly.

[0030] The water entering the bottom of the container system is drawn over the pump motor, thus cooling the motor. The pump housing and pipe to the lake must only be filled once.

[0031] The length of the pump housing and the horsepower (H.P.) of the pump would be determined by the application. It will be understood that the housing could be sold in lengths of 4-foot to 8-foot or more with the pump installed in it in the majority of cases.

[0032] The model numbers would indicate the length of casing and the horsepower of the pump.

[0033] For example:

[0034] model P.W. 4 33

[0035] Pumpwell 4 ft. {fraction (1/3)} H.P.

[0036] Model P.W. 6 50

[0037] Pumpwell 6 ft. {fraction (1/2)} H.P.

[0038] Model P.W. 5 75

[0039] Pumpwell 5 ft. {fraction (3/4)} H.P.

[0040] The advantages of a constructed pump well system are as follows:

[0041] (1) No need to dig a well and install well tile where you may not find water.

[0042] (2) No need to drill a well which is extremely expensive and no guarantee of water or supply, or quality of water.

[0043] (3) No need to build a heated, insulated pump house where a jet pump must be installed at water source to have the ability to pump high enough.

[0044] (4) No pump or wiring in water source.

[0045] (5) No need to ground fault system.

[0046] (6) Pump can be easily removed year round.

[0047] (7) Does not waste drinking water to flush toilets, bath, etc.

[0048] (8) Many people even with drilled or dug wells buy bottled drinking water.

[0049] (9) In most cases water can be purified for just drinking supply in house (if needed).

[0050] (10) No need to drain pump system if not used in winter.

[0051] (11) Soft water better for washing, watering lawns, and gardens, etc.

[0052] (12) with extra return line to lake and bypass valve in home pump could be let run continuously for heating, cooling purposes.

[0053] (13) No noisy pump in house.

[0054] (14) Very cost effective and efficient as compared to drilling etc.

[0055] (15) Just dig trench deeper where pump well to be installed.

[0056] (16) Pump is needed in all but gravity fed systems already so cost of pump not really a factor.

[0057] (17) No risk of pump freezing over in water source, or removing dug well lid and getting ladder to remove pump.

[0058] (18) No risk of running out of water or running pump dry.

[0059] (19) In a case where there is an existing well that is or is not adequate, the pump could compliment the well system.

[0060] (20) Many water sources in Canada and United States, especially, are drinkable or could be with little treatment.

[0061] (21) Very little water really used for consumption (seems a shame to waste good drinking water to flush toilets, wash cars, water lawns, etc.

[0062] (22) No need for a pump house (heated or not).

[0063] (23) Pump can be removed easily (winter or summer).

[0064] (24) Pump will not freeze or be pulled away by ice in river or lake.

[0065] (25) System does not have to be ground faulted.

[0066] (26) Pump can run continuously to keep lines from freezing in shallow areas.

[0067] (27) In continuous operation returning water to supply via water rads in home it would keep the home constantly above freezing.

[0068] (28) No need to dig or drill a well ($1200.00-$6000.00 or more).

[0069] (29) All you need (outside of trenching for poly pipe) is an auger or post hole digger to install it.

[0070] (30) In continuous mode pipes could nearly lay on ground surface.

[0071] (31) No hard priming of pump (fill casing once).

[0072] (32) No noisy pump in house.

[0073] (33) very good for tourist camps that need a very large amount of water for toilets and showers.

[0074] (34) Need only a small area of over-burden to install system.

[0075] (35) Many pump companies would be interested in this system.

[0076] (36) very good where you have a high head from water source to home.

[0077] (37) Could help home cool in summer.

[0078] (38) Top can be flush with ground with styrofoam cover.

[0079] It will be understood that this system is particularly advantageous in those areas where the lakes or rivers freeze up and there is ice movement. With the described embodiment it is not so difficult to examine the pump if problems arise. Furthermore, the system can be used year-round in cottage country so that the owner can use the cottage at different times of the year.

[0080] It will be appreciated that the pump apparatus and pump system may be used with other liquids than water. For example, a large container of fuel oil may be located at the bottom of a hill and conveniently pumped to a house at the top of the hill by means of the described embodiment, It could also be used for wine or maple syrup.

[0081] The pump apparatus may, of course, be used when it is at the same level as the source of liquid and the destination thereof.

[0082] The system may sometimes be referred to as a portable well system.

[0083] A further improvement is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0084] The buried inground system comprises a housing or container 60 constructed of metal pipe, P.V.C., fiber glass or other material which has been constructed in such a manner as to make it airtight.

[0085] The inside diameter of container 60 is 5 inches which I have found to be the minimum advisable. The length of the entire housing was dependent on the frost condition in the area in which it was used and was normally between 4 and 6 feet.

[0086] The container 60 houses a submersible pump 62 (without a check valve) and this is mounted on a pitless adapter 64 for easy removal. A check valve 66 is mounted on the pitless adapter 64 and this operates as an inlet for the system and avoids the need for a footvalve in lake 68. The ground level is identified as 69.

[0087] A three-quarter inch hole 70 drilled into the drop pipe portion of the pitless adapter 64 allows the water from. The home 72 and poly pipe outlet line 74 to return back through the pump 62 and a check valve 76 at the top of a return drain stand pipe 78 within the pumpwell casing 60 and then through the pitless adapter 64.

[0088] When the pump shuts off, this causes the outlet polyline 74 to the house 72 to be emptied so that it cannot freeze. A schrader valve or two check valves 80 and 82 in the home 72 will still keep pressure in the home and pressure system.

[0089] The outlet of a pressure tank 83 is provided with a pressure switch 85.

[0090] As will be appreciated an advantage of the system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is that when it is set up to self drain the lines, any screen or filter 84 on the end of the polypipe 86 in the lake will be backwashed by the water returning to the lake 68.

[0091] Since the entire pump system is buried completely underground, it does not freeze.

[0092] In use, the system is first filled with water and then capped by a bolted cap 88 fitting on a welded flange with gasket therebetween. A threaded 1 inch nipple is provided on a filler cap 92 whilst the outlet 94 to polypipe line 74 is shown in FIG. 4. A pitless adapter is provided for outlet 94.

[0093] It will be appreciated that a pitless adapter permits removal of a pump without having to undo any connections. The pump portion of the adapter slides into a support section and is sealed with an O-ring. The pitless adapter supports the submersible pump in a drilled well casing, a 1¾ inch hole being bored or cut in the casing. The pitless adapter is sealed with rubber washers inside and outside of the well casing and secured with a brass nut.

[0094] Once capped and full of water, the pump 62 is switched on and draws water from the lake through pipe 86 to a level 87. A float switch 96 is provided and this operates to shut off the pump 62 to prevent it from running dry. It is connected in the wiring 98 to pump 62.

[0095] If the supply pipe 74 to the home 72 can be buried deep enough to prevent freezing whereby the pipe does not have to be emptied, a threaded plug is installed in the return check valve 76. Due to the height of the stand pipe 78 and reverse check valve 76, the water in the pump system is only able to drop to a certain level which is still well above the pumps intake.

[0096] When the system is first installed, it is initially filled with water. The bolted cap 88 is placed on the pumpwell casing container 60 and tightened. The pump 62 is then run for a short time and, after this, the small filler cap 92 is removed and the pump system is filled again. The pump 62 is then run again. This is repeated until no air is left escaping from the filler cap 92. Once primed, the container 60 is completely buried below the frost line and should, in normal circumstances, never have to be drained or primed again.

[0097] No foot valve is provided in the lake in the system of FIGS. 3 and 4 and this is a considerable advantage.

[0098] Since the rest of the system can be drained, it will be of special interest to people living by the lake, or other water source, where ground conditions may not permit the supply pipe to the home to be buried at a sufficient depth to prevent freezing.

[0099] Advantages of the system are:

[0100] 1. No well drilling

[0101] 2. No well digging

[0102] 3. No pump or tripod in lake

[0103] 4. No pump house

[0104] 5. No pump installation

[0105] 6. No ground faulting electrically

[0106] 7. No winter draining

[0107] 8. No priming

[0108] 9. Self-drain supply line

[0109] 10. No Freezing

[0110] 11. Able to pump long distances and extreme heights

[0111] 12. Easy pump and foot valve access year round

[0112] 13. Very easy installation

[0113] 14. Environmentally friendly (no metal in lake)

[0114] 15. Will backwash and clean screen or filter intake

[0115] It will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention which will now be pointed out in the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A water supply system for supplying water to a building at a higher level than a lake comprising: a water supply pipe with one end in said lake and another end connected to a closed container substantially full of water, in use, and buried completely in the ground at a sufficient depth so that the water does not freeze at that depth, a water pump immersed in the water in said container with an inlet to draw water from said container and pump it through an outlet of said container, a water supply pipe with one end connected to said outlet and another end at said building to supply water thereto. Wherein said inlet is an inlet pitless adapter and said outlet is an outlet pitless adapter.
 2. A water supply system according to claim 1 wherein a hole is drilled in said inlet pitless adapter and a stand pipe is mounted in said hole with a check valve at its upper end to permit water from said building and outlet line to return back through said pump and said check valve to said inlet pitless adapter and then to said lake when said pump is switched off.
 3. Pump apparatus comprising: (a) a closed container having an inlet and an outlet for water, (b) a water pump with in said container to draw water in through said inlet and out through said outlet, (c) whereby, in use, said container substantially fills with water which is drawn into the pump and then out through said outlet, (d) wherein said inlet is an inlet pitless adapter and said outlet is an outlet pitless adapter.
 4. Pump apparatus according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein a closeable filler cap is provided in the top of said container for priming purposes.
 5. Pump apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 including a float switch within said container and connected in the electrical supply of said pump to switch off said pump when the water level in the container drops below a predetermined level. 